Jeremy Clarkson in four-letter jibe at new hosts as he fingers over Grand Tour steering wheel
If you thought The Grand Tour was all over, you thought wrong. Prime Video’s hit car show is back today, steered by three new petrolhead presenters.
But given the legendary trio whose shoes they’re stepping into, are they on a hiding to nothing? Or will they be a breath of fresh air? Our TV critic Mike Ward takes a look…
You’ll never guess who pops up at the start of the new Grand Tour series. It’s our old mate, Jeremy Clarkson, no less. But didn’t he tell us he was packing it in, along with his pals Richard Hammond and James May? Is he saying he’s changed his mind?
Thomas, James and Francis visit Buckhorn, Wyoming(Image: Supplied)
Afraid not. Clarkson’s there just to wish the new hosts good luck. That, and to offer them a valuable piece of professional advice: “Don’t f**k it up!” he says. In what feels like a rather more touching moment, he also tells them: “Have fun with this, guys,” like a proud dad passing on a prized possession to the next generation.
In one case, it’s actually more like the next generation but one. At 26, the youngest of these new Grand Tour presenters, Francis Bourgeois, is 40 years his junior. Clarkson has a good three decades on the other two as well: Thomas Holland and James Engelsman, co-creators of the hit YouTube car show Throttle House (3.42 million subscribers and rising).
But it’s what he then says to us lot, turning and addressing the camera once they’re out of earshot, that’s most relevant. He’s clearly aware that he, Hammond and May are a tough act to follow — just look at what happened to Top Gear after they’d gone — and that we viewers aren’t the most patient these days.
“I’ve been watching what they’ve been up to for the last year and a half,” he tells us, “and they’re very, very good. I think you’re going to love it.”
In other words, give these blokes a chance. And give them time.
Jeremy, James and Richard have given the new hosts a lot to live up to(Image: Getty Images)
His mate Andy Wilman, who as executive producer was key to making both those shows huge hits, echoes that sentiment. A consultant this time around, he says: “They know what sort of gunfire they’re walking into. They’re brave about it, but very respectful of the legacy.”
Clarkson and co., he reminds us, didn’t exactly hit the ground running when they started out. “The BBC gave them however many series it took for that chemistry to become real and to gel organically.”
So what do the new presenters bring to the show, personality-wise? Because that’s kind of the point here, given that the big budget cinematic style of the programme isn’t about to be scaled down. Likewise the stunty stuff.
“One thing that’s interesting about the three of us,” says Francis, “is that we each approach cars from slightly different angles.
“Thomas is much more interested in fixing things, while James is extraordinary when it comes to specifications. He can see a McLaren driving down the road and tell you the exact paint code.”
And you, Francis?
“I’m fascinated by the engineering beneath the bonnet and how everything works.”
Thomas, Francis and James are working hard to avoid the scrapheap(Image: Supplied)
So Francis is the geeky one, then. It’s a label he sounds very happy with.
“One of my favourite moments (when they meet in a later episode) is James May telling me that I’d actually out-nerded him.”
So, OK, we’re good with all the car stuff. And just like the old show, there’ll be lots of exciting, exotic adventures: the USA (California, Colorado and Wyoming), Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Angola, Wales…
The stunts, too, are as ballsy and as budget-busting as ever. In the first show alone, they race three petrol-powered monsters against a trio of fighter jets.
But what about the laughs? For many of us, that’s just as important, if not more so.
Thomas says they were determined not to force things. “Viewers might notice the dynamic is quite wholesome, for want of a better word. That’s not to say we don’t give each other a hard time — we absolutely do — but we didn’t try to manufacture anything.”
“One of our goals,” adds James, “was to modernise the format by creating a supportive dynamic. We wanted a sort of Ted Lasso atmosphere. It was really enjoyable to put a healthy friendship on screen.”
Right, so we shouldn’t expect too many teases and wind-ups, then? “They’re very different people from Jeremy, Richard and James,” stresses director Phil Churchward. “It’s important they remain themselves, rather than trying to imitate anyone else.”
As for how they landed these coveted jobs, that was clearly one hell of a selection process.
Executive Producer Nia Yemoh says they considered everyone from A-list celebs to complete unknowns. “We wanted to find the right people to carry the legacy forward,” she says, “while bringing a fresh perspective and new personalities.
“When we first saw the three of them together, it immediately felt interesting. Then we watched the footage back and thought, ‘This really works.’”
- The Grand Tour launches today on Prime Video.
